Visit my Book Blog Tour Sites!
I will be featured on the following webpages on Monday, October 22nd. Check it out!
http://www.ginaconroy.com/ginablog/wordpress/
-Includes an interview with Elisa-
(Gina Conroy)
http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com
-scroll mid-way down the page-
(Deborah Khuanghlawn)
-Author of Women's Fiction-
To God's Glory
Monday, October 22, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
He Uses Strangers
Yesterday I had a request for an autographed copy of my book from a lady that lives in my community, but whom I had never met. Which in of itself is not unusual, however, what transpired after her request is nothing short of the hand of God working in my life. This lady took the moment to pick up the phone and call me at work. She began by asking me about my book and the reasons I had written it. We then shared with each other our writing habits and she shared a story she had written--full of humor and truth.
She then began to tell me about her distant relationship with my mother that had in recent weeks became a call from God on her heart to visit with my mother, to pray with her even. I felt the click of knowledge in my mind that God had sent this woman as a special person along my mother's path. I told this sweet lady that and she confided that she had felt it also.
Out of the blue she told me she had bought a trunk full of diapers with the thought she might give them to someone in her church. It turned out that no one needed them, so she had joked that Sarah was in her nineties when she was blessed with a child. She knew that God did not love Sarah then more than He loved her now, so perhaps at seventy-one she was going to have a child!
She asked me if I had children. I smiled and said, "Yes, a 9-month old." She praised God because her diapers were for my baby. I laughed when she said, "I did not know when I bought those diapers that I bought them for your baby, but I did." They were the correct size.
I then felt a prod to share with her my desires for my writing career and my continuing desire to be at home with my children. Not knowing that the Lord had laid a similar desire on her heart twelve years before, I was going to be given a nugget of hope.
Her husband had been on partial disability and for four months she had felt a strong desire to quit work and stay with her husband, but money was tight, so she prayed for those four months. On a Monday morning as she traveled to work, God spoke two words to her, "Go Home!" She could still remember distinctly the sound of His voice. And she called her husband once she arrived at work at told him she would quit work. The Lord prepared the heart of her boss who prayed for her, understanding this journey was from our precious Father. Shortly after leaving her job just two days after the Lord spoke to her, her husband was put on full disability. The Lord took care of their financial need. Eleven years later, her husband died.
She was so thankful for that time in her life when they were together and my request sparked her memory and she prayed then and there for me. A prayer that I felt touched heaven. She stood in for me where my heart could not go that day. I was weary and tired, unsure and frustrated, a walking zombie until this woman prayed for me.
The Lord IS not finished.
I know this because as I dealt with family issues the following day, I had another phone call. Ms. Elaine, a lady I had met through work, called to tell me she had read my book and loved it. Many people can say this and I simply smile and accept their compliment knowing that no one would ever say they did not like it to my face. What really touched my heart and reaffirmed that my feet were planted where God needed me to be was when she said that many points brought out in the book had inspired her to action. What more could I ask, ACTION! And the plot continues until the final credits roll.....
She then began to tell me about her distant relationship with my mother that had in recent weeks became a call from God on her heart to visit with my mother, to pray with her even. I felt the click of knowledge in my mind that God had sent this woman as a special person along my mother's path. I told this sweet lady that and she confided that she had felt it also.
Out of the blue she told me she had bought a trunk full of diapers with the thought she might give them to someone in her church. It turned out that no one needed them, so she had joked that Sarah was in her nineties when she was blessed with a child. She knew that God did not love Sarah then more than He loved her now, so perhaps at seventy-one she was going to have a child!
She asked me if I had children. I smiled and said, "Yes, a 9-month old." She praised God because her diapers were for my baby. I laughed when she said, "I did not know when I bought those diapers that I bought them for your baby, but I did." They were the correct size.
I then felt a prod to share with her my desires for my writing career and my continuing desire to be at home with my children. Not knowing that the Lord had laid a similar desire on her heart twelve years before, I was going to be given a nugget of hope.
Her husband had been on partial disability and for four months she had felt a strong desire to quit work and stay with her husband, but money was tight, so she prayed for those four months. On a Monday morning as she traveled to work, God spoke two words to her, "Go Home!" She could still remember distinctly the sound of His voice. And she called her husband once she arrived at work at told him she would quit work. The Lord prepared the heart of her boss who prayed for her, understanding this journey was from our precious Father. Shortly after leaving her job just two days after the Lord spoke to her, her husband was put on full disability. The Lord took care of their financial need. Eleven years later, her husband died.
She was so thankful for that time in her life when they were together and my request sparked her memory and she prayed then and there for me. A prayer that I felt touched heaven. She stood in for me where my heart could not go that day. I was weary and tired, unsure and frustrated, a walking zombie until this woman prayed for me.
The Lord IS not finished.
I know this because as I dealt with family issues the following day, I had another phone call. Ms. Elaine, a lady I had met through work, called to tell me she had read my book and loved it. Many people can say this and I simply smile and accept their compliment knowing that no one would ever say they did not like it to my face. What really touched my heart and reaffirmed that my feet were planted where God needed me to be was when she said that many points brought out in the book had inspired her to action. What more could I ask, ACTION! And the plot continues until the final credits roll.....
Friday, October 5, 2007
Fear Not - Your Future Is Before You
Hadassah, also known as Esther, was a young woman without a mother or a father. We don’t know how Esther’s parents died; we only know that Esther was an orphan who had been taken in by her cousin, Mordecai. This family was part of the Jews who had been carried into exile by Nebuchadnezzar. Esther, a young woman without a mother and father. Esther, a foreigner in a land where she now lived. Esther, raised by her cousin. Esther, a woman of hope for herself and her people?
Where was her hope when she was faced with the death of her parents? Where was her hope when she was an alien among the people of the land? Where was her hope as she searched for peace and understanding in a world where she could have found none. But, amidst all of Esther’s pain and trials, there was a plan. And where there is a plan, there IS hope. Did Esther know the plan? No, the Bible does not say that she had any idea the part she would play in the future of her own people as she suffered loss, possible ridicule, and even death. But, God had a plan.
Just as He has a plan for your life, for your future. Who knows the life or lives you will touch before you are called to eternity with God? Only He knows. But, you must be prepared to act! You must be prepared to move, to change, to face uncertainty—to remove fear from your life and accept that your God is a God of BIG things, a God that sees all, knows all, and is in all places!
How can I prepare myself, you ask?
Study His word, converse with Him, pray diligently to Him, BELIEVE!
(Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4)
When Queen Vashti was deposed the king’s attendants suggested that he find a replacement for her. A search went out through the kingdom for beautiful, young virgins. We do not know how Esther was chosen to be among these virgins. Did Mordecai suggest her? Did her neighbor’s mention her beauty to the king’s staff? Did Esther request to be considered herself? No matter the manner in which she made it into the king’s courts, the point is that she made it. God made a way. Did you catch it? GOD made a way and Esther was ready. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear that she would not be chosen (i.e….rejection). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of missing her family (i.e….alignment of priorities). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of failure. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of leaving the life she knew (i.e….change). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear period. She accepted the challenge! Is God challenging you? Does He want to take you somewhere to change lives? Are you willing to go?
Too often we find excuses (like those above) to keep us from our blessings. We moan and groan that we don’t have a purpose in life, that we wish we had a ministry, that we can’t find our place. I wonder how many of those times we are missing out because of our own fears.
Where was her hope when she was faced with the death of her parents? Where was her hope when she was an alien among the people of the land? Where was her hope as she searched for peace and understanding in a world where she could have found none. But, amidst all of Esther’s pain and trials, there was a plan. And where there is a plan, there IS hope. Did Esther know the plan? No, the Bible does not say that she had any idea the part she would play in the future of her own people as she suffered loss, possible ridicule, and even death. But, God had a plan.
Just as He has a plan for your life, for your future. Who knows the life or lives you will touch before you are called to eternity with God? Only He knows. But, you must be prepared to act! You must be prepared to move, to change, to face uncertainty—to remove fear from your life and accept that your God is a God of BIG things, a God that sees all, knows all, and is in all places!
How can I prepare myself, you ask?
Study His word, converse with Him, pray diligently to Him, BELIEVE!
(Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4)
When Queen Vashti was deposed the king’s attendants suggested that he find a replacement for her. A search went out through the kingdom for beautiful, young virgins. We do not know how Esther was chosen to be among these virgins. Did Mordecai suggest her? Did her neighbor’s mention her beauty to the king’s staff? Did Esther request to be considered herself? No matter the manner in which she made it into the king’s courts, the point is that she made it. God made a way. Did you catch it? GOD made a way and Esther was ready. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear that she would not be chosen (i.e….rejection). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of missing her family (i.e….alignment of priorities). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of failure. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of leaving the life she knew (i.e….change). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear period. She accepted the challenge! Is God challenging you? Does He want to take you somewhere to change lives? Are you willing to go?
Too often we find excuses (like those above) to keep us from our blessings. We moan and groan that we don’t have a purpose in life, that we wish we had a ministry, that we can’t find our place. I wonder how many of those times we are missing out because of our own fears.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
From the Mouths of Babes
As I sent out my newsletter last night, I included a romance tip to pray for our husbands this week. I knew I had done this in the past and it had been a well spring of love for me. So, I was encouraging my readers to do the same. Well, as I got ready for work this morning, I never once thought about that prayer I needed to say lifting my husband up. But, as I dropped my 8 month old baby off at her Nay-nay's... God reminded me. As I pulled her from her car seat and into my arms, she leaned into me and I held her standing in the morning that God created--beautiful and slightly cool, just a taste of the possibility of fall in the air--I told her that God had created a beautiful day and then I prayed, "Lord, be with me and Alea and help us to be blessings for you today." Then, my baby said, "Da-Da".Praise God! It hit me quickly as I remembered to pray for our "da-da" and so I did. Thank you, Father, for your wonders and the ways you choose to progress out feet to carry out your will. And thank you for "da-da" and Alea.
--- Elisa Mayo
www.elisamayo.com
--- Elisa Mayo
www.elisamayo.com
Newsletter Gets Go Ahead From God
I send out a weekly newsletter from my website that features a devotion and romance tips. As I was preparing to send out my next installment, I was stalled. I did not know which direction to go and was waiting on an answer from the Lord. Tonight, He answered. I had started on a devotional book covering the topic of hope months ago, but I had laid it aside as I focused on my next fiction book. I guess God had other plans... His answer came to me that I should use the book on hope as the basis for my next study in my newsletter... So, I have and I can't wait to see what He does with it. I know that I may not know on this side of eternity, but I am excited that He chose that topic because it has been so close to my heart as I struggle to find my way in my writing. Thank you, Father!
www.elisamayo.com
www.elisamayo.com
Monday, September 10, 2007
As I sent out my newsletter last night, I included a romance tip to pray for our husbands this week. I knew I had done this in the past and it had been a well spring of love for me. So, I was encouraging my readers to do the same. Well, as I got ready for work this morning, I never once thought about that prayer I needed to say lifting my husband up. But, as I dropped my 8 month old baby off at her Nay-nay's... God reminded me. As I pulled her from her car seat and into my arms, she leaned into me and I held her standing in the morning that God created--beautiful and slightly cool, just a taste of the possibility of fall in the air--I told her that God had created a beautiful day and then I prayed, "Lord, be with me and Alea and help us to be blessings for you today." Then, my baby said, "Da-Da".Praise God! It hit me quickly as I remembered to pray for our "da-da" and so I did. Thank you, Father, for your wonders and the ways you choose to progress out feet to carry out your will. And thank you for "da-da" and Alea.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Can't Believe It Has Been So Long?
How can it be over a month since I last posted to my blog! Each night I sit down after I put my daughter to sleep and I get busy. Usually it is working on my website or writing. With a dial-up connection doing anything on the internet can take forever! But, God is good and has allowed me to get more done in the final two hours of my day that I could have ever imagined. I still have lists that I'm working on--send out manuscipts to publishers, send out to agents, send a draft to your critique group, send out your newsletter, read, add to webpage, research on the internet, WRITE, send books to so-and-so, and on it goes. But for the first time in my life, this work is totally gratifying. I never tire of it. I may not get it all done or visit all the places I've signed up for... but I work toward it every day as I wait for responses from anyone -- readers, publishers, agents, God.... Waiting isn't so bad when you are blessed in your wait.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Living Word Church
Boy, was I blessed by my speaking engagement at Living Word Church! As I watched the ladies eyes fill with tears, I knew that they got it. That they had dreams. They had big dreams and they knew those dreams were a part of them--never to be denied. They knew that the Lord had plans for them. They were more than nothing--they were everything to God. And their dreams were part of His plan for their lives.
For you see, all of us have dreams, the key is being able to distinguish between those desires that are God-given and those that are man-made. For without understanding this distinction, we cannot place our feet on the path to fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.
Praise God when we do determine what desires are God-given because our hearts soar and we feel a peace that is unexplainable--because we just ARE. We just are what God made us to be. We are fulfilling our purpose.
How do we determine what desires are God-given? In a nutshell, we pray, study God's word, and converse with God. We seek him. We delight ourselves in Him. We begin to desire His knowledge.
That is another part that the ladies of Living Word Church already knew, but when they were reminded of their Lord's desire to be delighted in, they remembered His love. His love that overwhelms us, bringing us to humbleness and lifting us to a hope in tomorrow.
So, though I was blessed before I stood up to speak at Living Word Church, I was doubly blessed as I saw the Lord speak to those women, touching their hearts and reminding them to turn to Him for He had a plan for their lives. Just as He does yours. -- www.elisamayo.com
For you see, all of us have dreams, the key is being able to distinguish between those desires that are God-given and those that are man-made. For without understanding this distinction, we cannot place our feet on the path to fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.
Praise God when we do determine what desires are God-given because our hearts soar and we feel a peace that is unexplainable--because we just ARE. We just are what God made us to be. We are fulfilling our purpose.
How do we determine what desires are God-given? In a nutshell, we pray, study God's word, and converse with God. We seek him. We delight ourselves in Him. We begin to desire His knowledge.
That is another part that the ladies of Living Word Church already knew, but when they were reminded of their Lord's desire to be delighted in, they remembered His love. His love that overwhelms us, bringing us to humbleness and lifting us to a hope in tomorrow.
So, though I was blessed before I stood up to speak at Living Word Church, I was doubly blessed as I saw the Lord speak to those women, touching their hearts and reminding them to turn to Him for He had a plan for their lives. Just as He does yours. -- www.elisamayo.com
Monday, July 30, 2007
Reader's Respond
I love to hear from my readers -- Of course, my own work touches me because it is my work, but you always wonder if it has the ability to touch your readers-- and you can't know that unless they share with you! So, one of the greatest blessings of this journey is hearing from those readers. I was so excited to hear one of my readers say, "I cried", while she read my book! What a wonderful feeling to know that my book was able to elicit emotion from the human spirit! God is Good!
www.elisamayo.com
www.elisamayo.com
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Unexplainable Blessings
As I promote my book, I enjoy checking google and searching for my name -- just to see if anything has been said about my book -- Over the weekend I was surprised when my google search pulled my book up as listed on Amazon.com's Hot New Romance Releases (only for the best selling books).... there I was just 14 books under Karen Kingsbury -- "What!?" "How did that happen?" -- I smiled, because once again I knew, "God." -- No other explanation -- the cattle on a thousand hills are His and His power is used for His purposes -- Praise God that I am part of His purpose.... Amen and Amen... To God Be The Glory -- www.elisamayo.com
His Blessings
Recently, during a conversation with God - as I asked Him to lead me on what my next step once to promote my book He urged me to contact a well-known author whose book I had just completed reading. "God, are you kidding me? She'll think I am a stalker." So, I hesitated, but He kept urging. Well, what do I have to lose besides my reputation! So, I contacted her to suggest that she do a book signing tour with an unknown author--"what a sell, God"-- She replied -- "Yes, she would be interested and had another author who might want to join us!" --
"Ummm, God?" -- "Yes?" He waited. -- "I think you were right again." --
So, when I told my husband my exciting news and he asked, "Why would she want to tour with YOU?" -- I smiled and said, "God."
"Ummm, God?" -- "Yes?" He waited. -- "I think you were right again." --
So, when I told my husband my exciting news and he asked, "Why would she want to tour with YOU?" -- I smiled and said, "God."
My Journey
In November 2005, I had completed a few chapters of a book I had started some eight years before. I began to look for a potential publisher via the internet and was directed to the Tate Publishing website when I saw the advertisement, "best publisher for new authors". That was me, so I submitted the beginning of my book. I, then, felt an urging from the Holy Spirit to contact the President of Tate Publishing. I was leary to do such a thing--how was I going to get through to him--surely they wouldn't just put him right on the phone b/c I asked. The urging was so strong, that I submitted, telling the Lord, "He's not going to talk to me." So with confidence I told the secretary who I was and asked to speak to the President....... A pause, another ring of the phone and there he was on the line and waiting for me to speak... And I did, quickly... I told him how crazy I knew it was, me contacting him, but that I had submitted a manuscript. He told me they were cutting off manuscripts for the year in the next week, and my manuscript was on the bottom of the pile, but he would personally pull it for me and get back with me. Before Thanksgiving, I had a contract for my book to be published. God was right, I was wrong. "God, you are smart!" If only I could remember this everyday.
Over a year later, as I finished my book and finally held the completed product in my hands, I was humbled.... God had a plan. I didn't. So each day since then I have asked Him, "What do you want me to do today, God?" Remember He has the road map, I don't. And He tells me. For instance, tonight it is to seek Him, read my Bible. I have no idea what He has to tell me through His word, but I know it is something that I need. Sometimes, it is to contact someone. Sometimes to try a new project--like a blog. Sometimes it is to read. And I have learned that if I follow His urging even when I am tired, I always hear Him, and receive just what I need for that moment. God is GREAT!
To God Be The Glory
www.elisamayo.com
Over a year later, as I finished my book and finally held the completed product in my hands, I was humbled.... God had a plan. I didn't. So each day since then I have asked Him, "What do you want me to do today, God?" Remember He has the road map, I don't. And He tells me. For instance, tonight it is to seek Him, read my Bible. I have no idea what He has to tell me through His word, but I know it is something that I need. Sometimes, it is to contact someone. Sometimes to try a new project--like a blog. Sometimes it is to read. And I have learned that if I follow His urging even when I am tired, I always hear Him, and receive just what I need for that moment. God is GREAT!
To God Be The Glory
www.elisamayo.com
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